Five things you need to know today Edinburgh

2014_05 Tram launch and first day 27

Missing woman

Wifi on the buses

Great olive oil – from Edinburgh

Craft Fair

Today at AMC St Brides

Police in Edinburgh are appealing for information to help trace a woman reported missing in the Capital.

Sheila Gunn-Russell from Balerno was last seen in the Morningside area at around 7am on Monday 11th August.

However, the 54-year-old has not been in contact with friends or family since then and concern is growing for her well-being.

Anyone who can assist police in locating Sheila is asked to come forward.

She is described as white, 5ft 8ins tall with a very thin build and short brown hair that is shaven at the sides. She was last seen wearing a cream jacket, maroon cardigan, black trousers, carrying a black jacket and a number of bags.

Inspector Jonathan Elliott said: “Shiela knows Edinburgh very well and is happy to travel throughout the city.

“As it has been almost a week since she has been seen, we are keen to hear from anyone who can help us establish her current whereabout.

“In addition, Sheila is also asked to get in touch to let us know she is safe and well.”

Those with information can contact Police Scotland on 101.

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In 2010 Lothian Buses began putting Wi-Fi on its buses as part of a trial which proved to be extremely popular and well used by passengers, so much so that by summer 2013 over 70 vehicles were fitted with the service.

Last year the company engaged with The City of Edinburgh Council and their Capital Connected Programme. Following a successful bid process Transport for Edinburgh secured funding to put free Wi-Fi on all it’s buses and trams.

The entire Edinburgh Tram fleet now has the free to use Wi-Fi on board and the process is underway to install all 600 buses with this service. It will take a little bit of time to finish the whole fleet, but this should be completed towards the end of the year.

Ian Craig, Chief Executive, Transport for Edinburgh said:

This is a further step towards making the entire Transport for Edinburgh fleet Wi-Fi enabled, something that passengers really wanted to see. Our customers can now check their social media feeds and emails or find out when they can catch their connecting bus, while on the move, for free.

We’ll make an announcement once we’ve completed our installations on the entire bus fleet towards the end of this year.

The vehicles will have the latest mobile hotspot technology giving a fast and robust 4G connection whilst on the move.

If you’re getting a bus look for the “Free Bus Wi-Fi” hotspot on your device, and surf away…..

Wi-Fi service is subject to terms and conditions which are available when you connect.

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image001Sofia di Belmonte runs an olive oil company – nothing strange about that except that she lives in Edinburgh. The olives are not grown here though – they are ripened in the Italian sun. This week the Puntalicosa flavoured chilli olive oil has won a huge accolade. It now has two stars to its name. It is of course available across Edinburgh in places like Valvona and Crolla.

The world’s largest blind-tasted food awards Great Taste, has just released the stars of 2014 and Punta Licosa is among the producers celebrating as its Villa Sirena Garlic and Chilli infused Extra Virgin Olive Oil is now able to
proudly carry the little gold and black Great Taste logo.

Judged by over 400 food critics, chefs, cooks, and a host of food writers and journalists, Great Taste is widely acknowledged as the most respected food accreditation scheme for artisan and speciality food producers.

Sofia di Belmonte, Managing Director of Punta Licosa said: “We are absolutely delighted that one of our new range of infused olive oils has won this prestigious award of Two Gold Stars. We are a small family company, and the award is a huge boost to our team, and is a great vote of confidence in our delicious products.”

“We are preparing for this year’s harvest, but we are looking forward to entering more of our oils into next year’s contest, so that more people will be able to share with us the great taste of the south of Italy.”

In their Notes on our Chilli and Garlic oil the Great Taste Awards 2014 judges said:

“Roasted garlic aroma, very pleasing on the nose. A good chilli kick on the palate and the combination of flavours work well together. Satisfying and totally tickles the taste buds”.

The Leccino and Frantoio olives used in all Punta Licosa products are harvested by hand and cold pressed within 24 hours of picking. The unfiltered oil is a golden yellow with memories of the Cilento sun, bearing a delicate, soft and well-rounded aroma. This versatile olive oil with its unique flavour is delicious for all dishes. Our premium Extra Virgin Single Estate oil brings out the natural best in fish, meat, soups, salads, risotto and pasta. Endorsed by top British chefs, Punta Licosa is the choice of leading restaurants in the UK and Italy, and is widely renowned for its quality, flavour and versatility.

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The Craft Scotland Summer Show is running till 23 August, featuring the high quality work of over 30 makers living and working in Scotland.  It will showcase a diverse range of craft including fantastic homewares, jewellery in a variety of materials, beautiful textiles, original ceramics and unusual woodwork.  The Show takes place on the second floor of White Stuff Emporium, George Street, Edinburgh and coincides with the Edinburgh Festivals.

Work on display at the selling exhibition includes Grainne Morton’s jewellery which evokes a sense of nostalgia, vibrant textiles by Morag Macpherson, ceramics by Sian Patterson that take their influence from Victorian pharmaceutical and preserving bottles and Cheryl Smith’s sculptures created from reclaimed wood and recycled Scottish textiles.

This year the show is featured as part of the Fringe Programme and Craft Scotland has teamed up with Edinburgh International Book Festival, who will host a number of ‘Meet Your Maker’ events in Charlotte Square. Further sessions will take place in a purpose built ‘living room’ area outside White Stuff on George Street.

Fiona Logue, Director of Craft Scotland explains more:

“Last year’s inaugural show attracted over 4500 visitors from across Scotland and from overseas.  We were delighted to be able to welcome so many visitors to view a vast array of work, meet makers and buy Scottish craft.  I am thrilled to be bringing the show back to Edinburgh’s vibrant George Street again this year.  By displaying a wide variety of makers and their disciplines, we can show off the breadth of our vibrant craft scene in Scotland.”

Information of all the events will be detailed on the website www.craftscotland.org

  • The Craft Scotland Summer Show
  • Till 23  August 2013
  • 2nd floor, White Stuff, 89 George Street, Edinburgh
  • Free entry
  • www.craftscotland.org/summershow for more information, opening times, events, maker biogs and blogs
  • Stay up to date with the Craft Scotland Summer Show on twitter at #cssummershow
  • Connect with the Craft Scotland team for updates @craftscotland

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BOLSHOI THEATRE BALLET DANCERS, AWARD NOMINEE LUKE JACKSON, ‘MATA HARI’, WILD MAN OF THE ACCORDION, AWARD-WINNING BAND, THEY’RE ALL AMONG SHOWS ON ON MONDAY, AUGUST 18, AT THE Acoustic Music Centre (AMC) AT ST BRIDE’S, 10 Orwell Terrace.  

 BARLUTH (18:00), an award-winning, Glasgow-based folk band of five musicians who met at the Royal Conservatorie of Scotland, embrace the traditional and contemporary music of Scotland, Ireland and America.

Sandy Brechin is the wild man of the accordion and front man of Burach and The Sensational Jimi Shandrix Experience plays his second gig at the Acoustic Music Centre @ St Bride’s (20:30).

Amy plus Steppenwolf Syndrome (20:00), The Athena Dance Company. Six Bolshoi Theatre ballet dancers examine emotion during their six-show run which starts at the AMC @ St Bride’s tonight (Sunday).

Luke Jackson (19:00), one of the rising young roots singer/songwriters, was last year was nominated at the BBC Radio 2 Awards for the Best Emerging Talent and the Young Folk Award.

Mata Hari and 8 Bullets, continues its run (22:00) telling the story of a woman who once went from being Europe’s most desired woman to the most despised. Award-wining chanteuse Onalea Gilbertson combines with award-winning writer David Rhymer for this critically-acclaimed show off Broadway.